Inter-Firm Co-Operative Strategies In The Context Of Discontinuous Technological Change. The Case Of The Uk Optical Communications Systems Industry

Abstract

At times of discontinuous technological change co-operation representsa viable strategy for both incumbents and new-entrants, provided thatthe choice of co-operation is consistent with the firm's businessstrategy (market-pull vs. technology-push) and with its degree oforganizational and technological flexibility. Evidence from the UKfibre-optics industry identifies two ideal-types of co-operation,namely structured co-operation - associated with market-pullstrategies and lower levels of flexibility - and unstructuredco-operation - associated with technology-push strategies and higherlevels of flexibility.co-operative strategy;incumbents;inter-firm relationships;new-entrants;technological discontinuity